George Floyd news: 911 dispatcher ‘took it upon herself’ to call sergeant because arrest was ‘wrong’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jurors have reviewed extensive video footage during a second day of testimony in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights.
The former officers — Tou Thao, J Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane — face one count each of failing to provide Mr Floyd with medical aid while Derek Chauvin placed his knee on his neck for more than nine minutes while he was facedown, handcuffed and gasping for air.
Mr Lane – as well as members of the Floyd family – are expected to testify over the course of the trial. On Tuesday, Judge Paul Magnuson barred Mr Floyd’s girlfriend Courteney Ross, who was listed as a witness, from testifying at trial after she gave a press conference on Monday.
Mr Thao and Mr Kueng are also charged with failing to stop Chauvin’s use of force.
The three officers have pleaded not guilty.
What are the charges against the three officers on federal trial over George Floyd’s death? 
Three officers ‘watched as George Floyd died a slow and agonising death’, says prosecutor in opening statement
Thomas Lane: What to know about former Minneapolis officer facing federal charges in George Floyd’s killing
J Alexander Kueng: Former officer facing federal charges in George Floyd’s death
Tou Thao: Former Minneapolis police officer faces federal charges in George Floyd’s killing
Officers labelled scene as safe before killing George Floyd: 911 dispatcher
Officers called in a Code 4 as their arrest of George Floyd progressed, according to the testimony of Jena Scurry, the 911 dispatcher who sent officers to contact Mr Floyd and witnessed the arrest virtually through a CCT V feed.
Code 4, Ms Scurry explained on Tuesday, means officers regarded the scene as safe. Still, they ended up using deadly force on George Floyd, who died as officers knelt on top of him for 9 minutes.
911 dispatcher called sergeant because something was ‘wrong’ with George Floyd arrest
Jena Scurry, a 911 dispatcher who observed the George Floyd arrest through a CCTV feed, is telling jurors how she began to fear something was going “wrong” with the stop when it appeared the video had frozen.
Then she realised the picture was fine, and officers had in fact been squatting on top of a near-motionless George Floyd.
Eventually, Ms Scurry says she “took it upon herself” to call a sergeant to review the incident.
In a recording of her call played during the Derek Chauvin trial, she was heard saying, “Call me a snitch if you want to,” before describing to the supervising officer how “all of them sat on this man.”
Ambulance arrived at George Floyd arrest scene in minutes, defence says
Defence attorneys for the three officers on trial have consistently pointed to what they say is a stream of speedy decisions the former Minneapolis policeman made to look after George Floyd’s health.
Lawyer Earl Gray, who represents former MPD officer Thomas Lane, noted that an ambulance arrived to Cup Foods in about 7 minutes after officers radioed in a mouth injury that Mr Floyd had sustained. One of the charges the trio of officers who assisted Derek Chauvin are facing is that they failed to deliver timely medical aid to Mr Floyd.
That’s all for today
That’s the end of questioning for today. Court will be back in session tomorrow at the federal courthouse in St Paul, Minnesota.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments